[ Masterweb Reports: Isiaka Wakili reports ] - President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the people and the government of Burundi to explore dialogue in resolving the current political crisis in the country.

President Buhari made the call at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday while receiving the former Burundian President, Pierre Buyoya.

Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina quoted Buhari as assuring that Nigeria would continue to support peace processes in the continent through the African Union (AU) which had already intervened in Burundi.

Buhari was said to have stated that "since President Pierre Nkurunziza rejected the proposal of a stabilising force from the AU, we can't impose it on him, but we will continue to opt for dialogue."

‘‘Nigeria has been playing a key role in the continent through the AU. We participated fully in ensuring a truce in Mali, and we want citizens to enjoy the impact of the truce, although the terrorists are not helping matters. Nigeria is always committed to regional and continental peace, and we will continue to do our best,’’ the president said.

Buhari was also quoted to have told the former president of Burundi, who is the High Representative of the AU Mission to Mali and the Sahel, that he remained hopeful that there would be an amicable solution to the situation in Burundi.

In his remarks, Buyoya commended Nigeria for her role in restoring peace to Mali and acknowledged that the African Unio was working to promote security in the Sahel, particularly through fighting trans-border terrorism.

The former president of Burundi also urged Nigeria to use her clout to work for peace in Burundi, saying the "country is gradually inching towards a civil war."